Europes best kept secret

Still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I will be back with my friends and family is a dozen days. Guess time really does fly when you're having fun...too much fun. I am looking forward to seeing my dog and having my bed back, I forgot what it is like to sleep on a bed and not have half your leg be hanging off.

So far every trip I've gone on has been amazing in some way but this past weekend was by far the most beautiful place I've ever been. This past weekend we went to the coast of Croatia also known as "Europe's best kept secret." Going into the trip I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I was pleasantly   surprised. The first day we went white water rafting through a mountain. Was incredible..half way through the river it started down pouring and storming but we continued on anyways because there really isn't a safe place to go when you are in the middle of the no where. Luckily the storm only lasted about 20 minutes and the sun came back out. We stopped at one point along the river and were able to jump off a 25 foot cliff!

Saturday we hiked up to the top of the town we stayed in Split and saw incredible views of the whole city and the Adriatic Sea.

 Sunday could not have been more amazing. We went to KrKa national park, blew any other national park out of the water. We only walked part of the part but what we did was a 2km wooden path that walked through the waterfalls..pictures don't do justice.

Weird to think the next country I will be in will be usa. With these next 12 days I plan on eating as much gelato and Italian food i can handle. Wednesday I am going to see the blessing by the pope at the Vatican..very excited! Since I've been in roma my roommate, Karlee and I have taken up belly dancing class this Thursday is our final performance!  




SEE YOU SOON!

Slow Down

It's weird to think that exactly 3 months ago I was home struggling to fit my life into a suitcase under 50 pounds. At the time I had so many mixed emotions I was excited to travel to a new country but also nervous that what if study abroad wasn't for me. Now on my last three weeks in Rome where I now call home I am having all those same feelings about returning to the United States. I never though I would become so attached to a place so far away from home. Study Abroad has hands down been the best months of my life, I've traveled to incredible places and made life long memories with some amazing new friends. For me, my time abroad has opened my mind, gave me self-confidence, and taught me to relax and go with the flow. If I could go back I wouldn't do anything different I believe I have made the most of every minute from the time I left my Dad in the airport in January. Since being here study abroad has made me so appreciative of everything I have, spending time in many other countries that are so less fortunate from my life back home has been an eye opening experience. I am so lucky to have such incredible parents to support me in this great experience in studying in Italy when themselves get nothing more out of it more than reading this blog.

I truly believe that if you study abroad (anywhere really) it will be the best experience of your life. Indisputably, top 5 at least. Arguably, top 3. Perhaps marriage and kids will top this… but at my young age, I simply don’t see life getting much better.

I have recently stumbled upon my new found love in Rome, Villa Doria Pamphili Park. It is located right up the hill from where I live and is the largest park in Rome. Its incredible how many acre of rolling green grass and trees are located their right near the crazy jam packed center of Roma. Morning, noon, or night – the scene is absolutely breathtaking in every sense of the word and refuses to get old. I find it relaxing and enjoyable to run through the park or even just sit on my blanket and read a book.

Roma is very large and international city, but the more I walk around and explore the smaller it feels. It still seems unreal to me that for the past months I've been living with Vatican City a short 10 minute walk to my left and with the Colosseum 15 minutes to my right.

Last weekend we traveled to Corfu, Greece for Easter Break. Was defiantly a change of pace from the other vacations we have been having but it was nice to have a relaxing trip. The weather worked out in our favor and the views were unreal. The hostel we booked ended up being full so we got put into a hotel like resort for the same price..safe to say we got a little lucky. 

On my final weeks here I plan to breathe in a little deeper, walk a little slower and keep my eyes wide open to make the most of every moment I have left!

                                              The best girl friends I could have asked for